Lyza 7000 FTIR for Polymer Analysis: Turning Spectra into Decisions

In polymer manufacturing, the most costly problems are those that are detected too late. A grade mix-up can interrupt processing, for example. Even small amounts of polypropylene in a polyethylene stream can reduce the value of recycled material. An epoxy system removed from the oven before curing is complete can compromise downstream performance. And oxidation identified only after failure can lead to time-consuming troubleshooting.

Anton Paar’s Lyza 7000 FTIR spectrometer is designed to provide certainty early in your process to avoid issues later – translating spectral data into clear, actionable decisions for polymer identification, blend control, ageing studies, cure monitoring, and many other applications along the polymer value chain.

The following examples demonstrate how Lyza 7000 supports data-driven decisions across key steps in polymer manufacturing.

Polyolefin identification: Distinguishing polyethylene grades

In polyolefins, Lyza 7000 helps laboratories distinguish between materials that may look similar but behave very differently in extrusion, moulding, and reuse. An FTIR spectrometer using a diamond ATR setup can distinguish HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE through spectral patterns linked to branching and crystallinity. This is particularly important in incoming goods inspection, process control, and recycling, where the wrong PE grade can affect melt behaviour, product properties, and the value of reclaimed feedstock. With Lyza, teams can classify material at the point of analysis – rather than waiting for a problem to appear on the line – enabling earlier decisions on release, segregation, or rework.

Blend quantification: Determining polypropylene content in polyethylene

In blend control, quantifying composition rather than screening it enables more reliable decisions. In an ASTM D7399-compliant workflow, Anton Paar used the Lyza 7000 spectrometer to quantify polypropylene in polyethylene blends from 0 wt % to 15 wt % using a linear calibration.

Blend composition can be measured and reported according to a standard method to support release decisions, complaint handling, and reclaim valuation. For polymer processors and recyclers, this replaces visual judgment with documented concentration values, which is particularly relevant for recycled streams that require tighter control and clearer proof of material quality.

Cure monitoring: Epoxy systems

FTIR analysis using Lyza 7000 also supports process decisions after formulation is set. In another application example, an epoxy-amine system, spectra recorded across a staged thermal profile of 55 °C, 140 °C, and 145 °C showed that cure progressed through the schedule and reached completion only after the final post-cure step.

For manufacturers of coatings, adhesives, and composites, this allows oven time to be aligned more closely with chemical conversion, helping to reduce undercure risk, verify process windows, and support more consistent part performance.

Ageing and degradation: Oxidation analysis

UV exposure and chlorine dioxide create oxidation in HDPE, leading to embrittlement, discolouration, loss of ductility, and reduced long-term performance. Lyza 7000 helps laboratories to compare ageing routes, assess stabiliser concepts, and connect lab data with field conditions, extending FTIR from routine QC into lifetime assessment, reliability testing, and failure analysis. Lyza 7000 also includes a spectral library of degraded polymers as a reference for comparing oxidised materials.

Anton Paar’s Lyza 7000 spectrometer goes beyond characterisation to enable informed material and process decisions in polymer operations. Its guided workflows support a variety of applications, helping laboratories turn spectral data into decisions. Backed by a 15-year warranty on the IR source, laser, and interferometer, it offers long-term value for polymer labs requiring reliable FTIR performance in routine use.

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